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Blue Light Receptor WC-2 Regulates Ganoderic Acid Biosynthesis in Ganoderma lingzhi
Yan Xu1, Xiong-Min Huang1, Zi-Xu Wang1
1Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China.
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 26, 2025
Summary
Blue light significantly boosts ganoderic acid (GA) production in the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lingzhi. The blue light receptor WC-2 acts as a positive regulator, enhancing GA biosynthesis and influencing gene expression.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Ganoderma lingzhi is a medicinal mushroom known for its pharmacological properties.
- Ganoderic acid (GA) is a key bioactive component produced by G. lingzhi.
- The regulatory mechanisms of GA biosynthesis are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of blue light in regulating GA biosynthesis in G. lingzhi.
- To identify and characterize the blue light receptor involved in GA biosynthesis.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying blue light-mediated GA production.
Main Methods:
- Blue light induction experiments were performed on G. lingzhi.
- The blue light receptor WC-2 was identified and its function characterized through gene deletion and overexpression.
- Gene expression analysis was conducted to assess the impact on GA biosynthetic genes and sporulation-specific genes.
Main Results:
- Blue light significantly enhanced GA content in G. lingzhi.
- Deletion of the WC-2 gene led to reduced GA content and downregulation of key GA biosynthetic genes.
- Overexpression of WC-2 resulted in significantly increased GA accumulation, with specific ganoderic acids showing substantial fold-increases under blue light.
- WC-2 deletion also affected asexual spore production and the expression of related genes.
Conclusions:
- The blue light receptor WC-2 is a positive regulator of GA biosynthesis in G. lingzhi.
- WC-2 influences the expression of genes involved in both GA biosynthesis and asexual spore production.
- This study advances the understanding of the regulatory network governing GA biosynthesis in G. lingzhi.
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